TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Russell Bunim, Community Development Director
1. Subject
title
Public Hearing to consider introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 31-24 establishing Objective Design Standards for certain qualifying housing projects and finding of CEQA exemption.
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2. Summary
The proposed ordinance establishes Objective Design Standards by reference in Title 17 for qualified housing projects to provide the City with a mechanism to apply design standards to eligible multi-family housing development throughout the City, including historic districts.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Conduct and close Public hearing.
2. Introduce and conduct First Reading of Ordinance No. 31-24. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange adopting Objective Design Standards by reference in Title 17 for qualified housing projects.
3. Find the ordinance is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, because it involves administrative activities of the City that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance and promote quality of life in the community.
c: Support and enhance attractive, diverse living environments.
Goal 5: Recognize, Promote, and Preserve Orange’s Rich Heritage
b: Expand and strengthen processes and practices related to protection and cultural resources.
6. Discussion and Background
As State Housing Law continues to evolve, multi-family housing projects with qualifying housing components are increasingly required to be ministerially approved. The proposed Objective Design Standards (ODS) are crafted as authorized by state law, and regulate building orientation, site layout, building form, height, massing, articulation, and other aspects of design. They apply to qualifying multi-family development that is permitted in any zoning or district. The ODS are necessary to maintain high quality development throughout the City. Without them, the City has few design standards to apply to multi-family housing development qualifying for ministerial approval
The ODS implement Policy Action 2E: Facilitate Infill Construction, of the 2021-2029 Housing Element, in that they provide a ministerial process for streamlining qualifying housing projects. The additional information is provided in the attached ordinance, and Planning Commission staff report (Attachments 1 and 2).
Old Towne Preservation Association:
The Old Towne Preservation Association (OTPA), and Orange Legacy Alliance requested changes to the ODS at and after Design Review Committee (DRC) review. Staff concurred with the requested changes and integrated them into the document (Attachment 3).
7. ADVISORY BOARD ACTION
Design Review Committee:
On March 20, 2024, the Design Review Committee reviewed and provided feedback on the draft ODS. The Committee’s and public feedback were evaluated and factored into the revised draft ODS.
Planning Commission:
On October 21, 2024, the Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the ODS by a vote of 5-0.
8. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Categorical Exemption: This ordinance is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 (Common Sense Exemption), because it involves administrative activities of the City that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
9. public notice
On November 14, 2024, a notice was published in the Anaheim Bulletin newspaper for a public hearing before the City Council on November 26, 2024.
10. ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment 1 Ordinance No. 31-24
• Attachment 2 Planning Commission Staff Report Dated October 21, 2024
• Attachment 3 Planning Commission Hot File Memo Dated October 21, 2024
• Attachment 4 Planning Commission Draft Minutes Dated October 21, 2024
• Attachment 5 Design Review Committee Staff Report Dated March 20, 2024
• Attachment 6 Design Review Committee Minutes Dated March 20, 2024